DE2101862A1 - Control circuit for image composition - Google Patents

Description

84-37-71 / S ch / Ba
ϊ ¹ 20283-W. Ger.
US Ser.No. 3.118
iiled: January 15, 1970

Printing Developments, Inc. Hew York, N.Y. (V.St.A.)

Image composition control circuit

The invention relates to a control circuit for image collation

Setting for the automatic control of the scanning at least:

at least one color transparency through a scanner for re-' would give at least excerpts of the 3? color transparent in one desired pattern on color separation images.

The invention described below is applied to the scanning scarf directions of a scanner operating with a moving scanning spot in an image composition system, where the Scanning spot is controlled in accordance with preselected position and size signals, which are activated by a light on * talking picture composition control circuit can be provided. In particular, it relates to a device for Control of the image composition in a point scanner on an arrangement for controlling the size and position of partial image or other information on the par building assembly pictures, which are made from a plurality of scanned transparencies representing, for example, separate copy parts.

With the colored picture composition one makes of color pictures or transparencies produce separate color separation images which are scanned by point scanners or the like. When composing the picture Each par building block picture produced in this way contains the various pictures in a pattern with regard to size

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and arrangement which corresponds to the pattern in which the images were originally scanned by the point scanner were arranged.

It is often desirable to change the size and position of the individual images in the color separation images. Without a procedure for automatic control of the original scanning of the color transparency is the rearrangement of the original on the 3? Ar construction detail images recorded pattern very difficult and time consuming.

To overcome these difficulties, the invention provides a control circuit in a color image composition system for automatic control of the original scanning of at least one color transparency in accordance with preselected Position and size signals.

According to the invention, the control circuit is characterized by a mask with the desired pattern (ent- * '' speaking of the desired pattern of the images or other information, which are recorded on the color separation images, those of at least one scanned color transparency : are produced) arranged, light-responsive (for example transparent or reflective) segments or surfaces, furthermore by a scanning device, which the mask concurrently with the original scan; at least one color transparent point by point through both I For example, scans a spot scanner and supplies position and size signals to the scanning circuits of the spot scanner ent-j speaking of the position and size of the light-responsive segments of the mask, so that in this way the spot scanner scans at least one color transparency in a pattern which corresponds to the pattern of the light-responsive segments of the mask.

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»• 3- ·

The invention is described below with reference to the representations of a,

Embodiment, explained in more detail. It shows: |

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a scanner having a | for example embodiment of the picture composition control circuit according to the invention contains;

1A shows an example of a two-dimensional arrangement of several transparencies for use in the scanner according to FIG

1;

2 shows a block diagram of the control circuit according to the invention as used in Fig. 1; and

3 shows a block diagram of an additional logical: Circuit which, according to the invention, can be inserted into the control circuit shown in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a point scanner 10 scans several color transparencies 12 (for example! two 35mm color image transparencies 12a and 12b and one 6x6 color transparency) shown in Fig. 1A in any suitable manner and sheet are mounted on a transparent copy plate 12d, the total area of which is the scanning surface of the scanner 10 corresponds. Each of the banners has a certain, usually different information content. By a, Projection lens 14, the scanning is carried out under control χ and y deflection signal voltages which are supplied to the deflection winding 16 and blanking signals which are the control electrodes 18 for the scanning beam brightness, where! these signals and voltages from the control circuit 20 for the Image composition will be supplied. In the case of the one shown in FIG Embodiment are the three spatially separated transparencies 12a, 12b and 12c (Fig. 1A) in the optical Path of the scanner 10. From the following description i

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there is, however, no limit to the number of banners consists, which in a certain pattern by the invention Facility can be rearranged or changed. The scanning spot of the scanner 10 becomes corresponding a predetermined program controlled by the y and χ deflection signal voltages, as will be explained below with reference to FIG is explained. This program does the reproduction and Recording of color separation images with information segments or partial images of these, which have a desired position and area take in the color separation image. For example, instead of The scanning spot, which usually begins in the upper left corner of the first transparency 12a, is programmed in this way be that he of several banners 12 with the Scanning of the second transparency 12b begins. The image information segment scanned first by the scanning spot can can now be reproduced at an optionally specific point of the color separation image.

As with conventional color scanners, the light coming from the transparencies 12 is detected with the aid of suitable optical devices, such as a condenser lens 24, a staining analyzer 22 is supplied. This divides the light into three different primary color components, which are fed to three relevant photo elements which directly generate electrical signals corresponding to the brightness of the relevant color component correspond at the point of the transparency 12 where the scanning beam is located at that moment.

These three electrical signals appear on respective lines 24, 25 and 26 and become respective control units 28, 29 and 30 for the colors yellow, magenta and cyan, where various correction processes such as compression, Subject to color masking, etc., as is customary in the relevant technology, so that the

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Finally, extract images, produced the desired color print th properties. In addition, the three signals are fed to a black control unit 32, which is based on electrical Paths using the undercolor removal principle, a black printing signal for four color printing is generated. The black control unit 32 can be, for example, the method described in U.S. U.S. Patent 2,892,016.

Those coming from the four control units 28, 29f, 30 and 32 corrected four signals become four lamp amplifiers 34 to 37 which are provided in a color separation printer 28 are. The lamp amplifiers 34 to 37 control the luminance of four conventional incandescent lamps 40 to 43 »which are known in the art V / eise for exposing separate pieces of photographic film are arranged to produce the color separations. In general

NEN conventional scanning systems are formed so that the brightness of the incandescent lamp increases as the brightness of the respective color components in the banners 12 increase to 'so that positive Transparent to the color separation films produce negative images. If necessary, however, positive color separations can also be produced from the original positive images if signal reversing circuits are inserted between the control units 28 to 30 and 32 on the one hand and the lamp amplifiers 34 to 37 on the other hand. The negative or positive images are recorded on the color separation films according to a pattern which is determined by the programmed pattern.

In Pig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the control circuit A transparent drum 50 carries a transparency 52 on which in certain segment areas color-selective masks or filters 54, 55 and 56 are recorded which are identical in size and location to the desired size and location of the Image or other information is, which is on the color

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Extract images are to be recorded by the three Color transparencies 12 (Fig. 1) are to be produced. Outside of the area of the filters 54 to 56, the corresponding for example If only the red, blue, or green color components are permeable, the transparency 52 is opaque. In the usual way, the drum 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow X and moves axially in the direction of the arrow Y, so that a white light beam 58, which emanates from the light source 60, after being deflected by a stationary interior mirror or some other suitable optical device 62 scans the entire transparency 52 point by point.

Depending on the axial and the angular position of the drum 50, either light is selectively passed through one of the color filters 54, 55 »56 let through or there is no passage of light at all. After passing through the filters 54 to 56, the light beam is incident through a condenser lens 64 through a diaphragm 68 a conventional color sensitive beam splitter 66 is focused. This contains a dichroic mirror 70, which only lets through incident red light, and also a dichroic mirror Mirror 71, which only lets through the green light reflected by mirror 70 and a reflecting mirror 72, which reflects the green light transmitted by mirror 70.

With the mirrors 70 to 72 optically corresponding photo. elements coupled 74 to 76, which produce electrical signals corresponding to the brightness of the corresponding filters, '■ talk decision 54, 55 or 56 transmitted at the location of light, where the beam 58 passes through the filter surface of the transparent 52nd Where opaque portions of the transparency 72 are between the light beam 58 and the photo elements 74-76, no electrical signal is generated. About the conductors marked R, B and Q- are the

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Photo elements corresponding to switch-on inputs of three sets of gates 78, 79; 80.81; and 82, 83 via coupling elements 115a-115b, 116a-116b and 117a-117b, as described with reference to FIG. 3 _; ben, and connected to the inputs of an OR gate 84. If none of the photo elements 74 to 76 generate an electrical signal, then the ODER gate 84 is transparent. The voltage signal appearing at its output in this case is used as a blanking signal for blocking the beam current in the point scanner 10 (FIG. 1).

Coupled to the drum 50 is an encoder 85, the more conventional ™ Can be type and the axial and circumferential position of the drum 50 encoded in position signals y and χ. The y signal corresponds to axial position of the drum 50, the x-signal of its circumferential position.

These position signals are sent via conductors 86 and 87 to an x-deflection generator 88 or a y-deflection generator 90 supplied, which in accordance with the axial movement and the rotational movement of the drum 50 usual vertical (x-deflection) and Generate horizontal (y-deflection) scan voltage signals. Generators 88 and 90 provide the x and y deflection signals via changeable resistances 91, 92; 93, 94 and 95, 96 to the inputs of addition amplifiers 98.99} 100.102 and 103, J 104 led. The inputs of these amplifiers are connected to adjustable potential circuits 106, 108 via fixed resistors or 110. In amplifiers 98 to 100 and 102 to 104 are the DC voltages generated by the circuits 106, 108 and 110 with the variable x and y deflection signals, which come from the variable resistors 91 to 93 and 94 to 96, either added or subtracted.

By changing the resistances 91 to 93 and 94 to 96

use of the stronger 98 to 100 and 102 to 104 x- and y-

Deflection voltages of variable slope generated. To this

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In the manner of the scanning beam of the point scanner 10 Set the swept scanning area. In a corresponding way, you can change the amplitude and polarity of the Amplifiers 98 to 100 and 102 to 104 of the circuits 106, 108 and 110 supplied DC voltages the bias voltages adjust the x and y deflection signals to determine the position of the scanning beam in the point scanner 10; H. the Location where the scanning beam starts and ends scanning both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction.

The amplifiers 98-100 and 102-104, respectively, apply the variable x and y deflection signals to the other inputs the gates 82 and 80, 78 and 83 and 81 and 89, respectively. the Gates 78 and 79 become transparent when the red filter 54 of the transparency 52 is between the light beam 58 and the Beam splitter 66 is located, gates 80 and 81 become transparent when the blue filter 55 is located between the beam and the beam splitter and the gates 82 and 83 become permeable when the green filter 56 is in between. If there is none of the udders between the beam 58 and the beam splitter 66, then the gates 78 to 83 are blocked and that NOR gate 84 generates a sample signal. The outputs of gates 78, 80 and 82 are brought together and via the x-deflection designated conductor is placed on the vertical deflection coils of the scanner 10. The line labeled y-deflection connects the outputs of the gates 79 »81 and 83 to the horizontal deflection coil of the scanner 10.

I ^{1 For} operation, the transparency 52 is prepared so that it contains three selective color filters 54, 55 and 56 in an arrangement, that is, according to size and position, which is identical to the pattern in which the three image information segments or images, which recorded on the color transparency 12 are reproduced in the color separation images. Filters 54 to 56

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are so arranged that changes in the size and position of the color transparencies 12 are effected when images of them on the Color separation images are recorded, which are produced by the section separation printer 38 can be produced. For example, the filter 54 can be of the desired size and location on the color separation image of the second transparency 12b correspond.

At the beginning of scanning of the applied on the drum 50 Transparent 52, the light beam 58 is initially interrupted by * '<an impermeable portion of the transparent 52 ™ so that the NOR gate 84 becomes conductive and hides the electron beam of the Punktabtasters 10th The gates 78 to 85 are also blocked at this point in time. The potentiometers 91 to 93 and 94 to 96 are set in such a way that, when the gates 78 to 83 become transparent, the following generated by the amplifiers 98 to 100 and 102 to 104: x ~ and y ~ deflection signals gradients corresponding to the increase or decrease in area; of the images recorded on the transparency 12 when these are recorded on the color separations. The potential setting circuits 106, 108 and 110 are also set so that they change the DC bias voltages of the x and y signals generated by the amplifiers ^ to 100 and 102 to 104, so that the position of the scanning beam in the point scanner 10 are controlled can. In particular, the beginning and the end of the scanning by the scanning beam of the scanner 10 are set in such a way that each of the transparencies 12 is recorded on color images in a position which corresponds to the position; .A specific filter on the transparency 52 corresponds. ,

If the drum 50 rotates and moves axially, then the filters 54, 55 and 56 -ier n ^ lLe after between the light beam 53 iirid the beam mdisp- ·: Jtsr 66 gobr-rent, BeCuidet the red Elitist 54 in place ^ a.; - g, then generates photo element 74 ·:? Ιϋ. elektrieolxay £ A _; .- ;. ar, X, velenss daa HOu gate 84

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blocks, so that the beam current of the scanner 10 is turned on and the Satter 78 and 79 turns on, which with the Movement of the drum 50 synchronized the x and y deflection signals let through. By setting the potentiometer 93 to and the adjustable potential circuit 110, a specific (For example 12a) of the transparency 12 scanned by the beam and as a color separation in a pattern corresponding to the The size and location of the filter 54 is recorded on the transparency 52. So the scanned transparency becomes in a plane of the color separation image recorded, which by the location and The size of the transparency 52 is programmed.

If the scanning beam 58 is interrupted by an opaque area of the transparency 52, then none of the Photo elements 74 to 76 an output signal. Therefore the gates 78 to 83 remain blocked and the scanning beam of the scanner 10 returns to a neutral central position. At this point in time, the NOR gate 84 generates the photo elements 74 to 76 are connected, a blanking signal which blocks the beam current. If necessary, the same blanking signal can be used on the lamp amplifiers 34 to 37 in the color separation printer 38 are given so that the incandescent lamps 40 to 43 are switched off.

If the blue and green filters 55 and 56 are in the beam path of the Beam 58, then gates 80, 81 and 82, 83 are selectively turned on and become transparent to the x and y signals which synchronize with the movement of the drum 50 and have selected slopes and DC biases. So the other two banners 12b and 12c of the transparency 12 scanned by the controlled scanning beam and rad. "A color separation image recorded in patterns, which correspond to the filters 55 and 56 of the transparency 52 in terms of size and position.

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The control unit for the image composition according to FIG. 2 causes that the beam of the scanner 10 returns to a neutral position when the scanning beam 58 hits an opaque part of the transparency 52. This would be disadvantageous if you have head lettering of the images produced from the color separation Overlay images with the help of a blocking mask system wanted to.

To solve this problem, the circuit illustrated in FIG. 3 is switched on between the coupling elements 115a and 115b, 116a m and 116b, 117a and 117b, that is, between the photo elements 74 to 76 and the gates 78 to 83 of the control circuit according to FIG. 2. In addition, the transparency 52 mounted on the drum has transparent areas instead of the opaque areas to separate the red, blue and green filters 54, 55 and 56, respectively, and the writing to be recorded on the color separations is in the form of opaque letters on the filters 54, 55 and 56 recorded. i

The photo elements 74 to 76 are connected via the conductors labeled R, B and & to the inputs of an AND gate 120 and the inputs of three HAND gates 122, 123 and 124, respectively. The AND gate 120 becomes transparent when the scanning beam 58 scans a transparent area of the transparency 52 and accordingly all three photo elements 74 to 76 are in operation. The permeable gate 120 generates an "I ¹¹ clear" signal, which reaches the other inputs of the NAND gates 122 to 124 and to the return inputs of three bistable switches 126 to 128 via the designated conductors. Signal resets bistable switches 126 to 128. It also acts as a blanking signal to block the beam current in scanner 10.

The photo elements 74 to 76 are except with the NAND gates

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122 to 124 connected to the inputs of AND gates 130 to 132, whose other inputs are at the outputs of NAND gates 122 to 124.

The outputs of the AND gates 130 to 132 are connected to a set of inputs of the bistable switches 126 to 128 and, when the gates 130 to 132 are open, place them in their switched-on state. In this state they generate R, B and G signals which render gates 78 to 83 transparent so that the x and y deflection signals can pass to the deflection windings of the scanner 10.

When in operation the scanning beam 58 over an udder of the transparency 52, for example the red filter 54, is running, then the photo element 74 comes into action. If there is a clear signal, then the NAND gate 122 remains disabled. The signal generated by the disabled NAND gate 122, along with the signal generated by the photo element 74, the AND gate 130 permeable, which is a setting signal to the bistable switch 126 can get, which is thereby set. In this state he makes the gates 79 and 80 transparent, which the Location and size x and y deflection signals to the deflection windings of the scanner 10 can get.

The bistable switch 126 remains in its setting state when the scanning beam 58 sweeps an opaque area of the red filter 54. However, if the scanning beam occurs 58 through a transparent area of the transparency 52, then the three photo elements 74, 75 and 76 give signals off, the AND gate 120 becomes transparent, and the clear signal generated by it sets the bistable switches 126 to 128 return. The clear signal, together with the signals generated by the photo elements 74 to 76, make the NAND gates 122 to

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124 permeable, the output signals of which then block the AND gates 130 to 132. At this point the gates are up 79 to 83 blocked, and the scanning beam of the scanner 10 returns to its neutral position.

The invention described above can be modified in many ways. For example, more than three Filters may be provided on the transparency 52 so that more as three images can be edited. Furthermore, the drum 50 can carry a PiIm of variable density, with only ' a single photo element is used to determine the intensity of the light passing through. For differentiation of an area on the transparency from another level detectors can be used. Furthermore, the image composition control circuit can be used for scanning of the transparency 52 a flat, reciprocating Use a sled or cathode ray tube, and the transparency 52 can be replaced with a reflective mask v / earth. The control circuit described above can also be used to combine several different image segments a single banner can be used.

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Claims (12)

-H- Claims M J Control circuit for image composition for automatic Control of the scanning of at least one color transparency by a scanner for the reproduction of at least Areas of the color transparency in a desired pattern on color separation images, characterized by a mask (52) with light-responsive surface areas (52) arranged in accordance with the desired pattern 54> 56), by a scanning device (10, 20), which the mask simultaneously with the scanning of the color transparency (12) scanned, and by means (78-106) which in accordance with the location of the scanning beam (58) on the mask generates position and magnitude signals and these selectively the scanner (10) supplies. 2. Control circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the device responsive to the position of the scanning beam Means (74-76) for generating a plurality of position and magnitude signals corresponding to the number of to light-responsive surfaces of the mask (52) and gate circuits (78-83) for the selective transfer of the position and contains size signals corresponding to the pattern of the photoresponsive surface portions of the mask. 3. Control circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that each surface area of the color transparency (12) is a certain light-responsive surface area of the mask (52) corresponds and that the device for generating the Position and size signals means (98-110) for controlling each this contains signals in such a way that each signal has a reduction in area or area enlargement when scanning the area of the color transparency assigned to it 109838/1507 (12) caused by the scanner "and only the associated one Area of the transparency is scanned. 4. Control circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that on the mask (52) responsive to light surface areas are arranged in a desired pattern and the mask is carried by a drum (50), and that the gate notches (78-83) with devices (70-76) are provided, which respond selectively to the light ^{emanating from the light-responsive S 1} lachal areas of the color transparency (52) and make the position and size signals available in a sequence corresponding to the sequence in which the light is reacting surface areas enter the beam path of the scanning beam (58) of the scanner (20). 5. Control circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that the device responsive to the position of the scanning beam has an encoder (85) which generates position signals corresponding to the axial position and the circumferential position of the drum (50), and circuits (88, 90) which using the position signals to generate a first and a second deflection voltage for the scanning, contains.- m 6. Control circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of transparencies (12a, 12b, 12c) accordingly the number of photoresponsive areas of the mask (52) carried by the drum (50) from the scanner (10) can be scanned. 7. Control circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that the device responsive to the position of the scanning beam a first number of amplifiers (102,103,104) corresponding to the number of light-responsive surface 109838/1507 areas of the supported from the drum (50) color transparency (52) _r responsive to the first deflection and a second plurality of amplifiers (98,99, 100) match the number of light-responsive surface areas of the supported from the drum color transparency which respond to the second deflection voltage contains. 8. Control circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the amplifiers (98-104) has a device (94.95, 96) for setting the slope of the deflection voltage amplified by it, in such a way that the slope of the area enlargement or reduction of the area of the associated transparency in the formation of the image on a color separation image and that means (106,108,110) for adjusting the DC voltage level of the amplifiers amplified deflection voltage are provided in such a way that the image of the associated transparency on the color j Extract image is generated at a point which corresponds to the position of the associated light-responsive surface area corresponds to the transparent mask (52) carried by the drum (50). 9. Control circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that the color transparent mask carried by the drum (50) (52) with color-selective filters (54,55,56) arranged in the desired pattern and with the color-selective filters separating opaque surface areas is provided. 10. Control circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that the gate circuits further comprise a device (Fig. 3) . have, which simultaneously with the scanning of opaque areas of the color transparent filter (52) for Blocking of the beam current in the scanner (10) works. 109838/1507 11. Control circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that on the 3? Color transparent mask carried by the drum (50) (52) color-selective filters (54,55,56) are arranged in a desired pattern, which through transparent Areas are separated. 12. Control circuit according to claim 11, characterized in that the G-att ers chaitungen contain a device (Pig. 3) which simultaneously with the scanning of a transparent area of the transparent color mask (52) for M blocking the beam current of the scanner ( 10) and to block the circuit elements transmitting the position and large signals. 109838/1507